Understanding Commercial Hail Damage Insurance Claims
Hail damage can be devastating to the operations of commercial properties such as shopping malls, . It can be particularly frustrating if your insurance company disputes the legitimate hail damage your building or property has faced. This guide will help you understand commercial hail damage insurance claims so that you know what you’re up against.
What Damage Can Hail Cause to Businesses?
Hail often occurs unexpectedly, and businesses often have little time to prepare for it. Properties all over the country are vulnerable to the power of hail, which can appear during regular thunderstorms, even in unlikely areas. Here are some of the issues hail can cause:
- Roof damage
- Damaging of outdoor equipment, assets, and machinery
- Injuries to employees
- Broken windows
- Damage to siding
- Damage to vehicles
- Tearing holes through screens
Things like roof and window damage could also have compound negative effects, such as leaving your inventory exposed and further vulnerable to the elements.
Should I Fix My Roof After a Hailstorm?
While you should file a claim with your insurance company, you should be aware that waiting on funds could take you a long time. It is important after a storm that you assess the damage to your roof immediately to ensure that you have consistent records. Take care of any immediate repairs to your roof and make sure that you document everything and keep all receipts. As part of your claim, all of your copies should be submitted to your insurance property.
How To File a Hail Insurance Claim
In the aftermath of a hailstorm, assess the damage done to your business and decide if it is necessary for you to file a claim with your insurance company. If you decide to do so, document all damages to your property and be as thorough as possible.
Each insurance company has its own process for claims filing. As such, the best course of action would be for you to reach out to the company directly to get your claims process going.
After that has been done, an insurance adjuster will visit your property. You may want to hire your own public adjuster during this time as well. The difference between a public adjuster vs. an insurance adjuster is that public adjusters work for you. If you’ve compared the claims between your public adjuster and the insurance adjuster and find meaningful discrepancies, you’ll know if you should fight your insurance carrier. Make and keep records of all your claim documents and wait for a claims decision from your insurance carrier.
Is There a Time Limit for Reporting a Commercial Hail Damage Claim?
The time limit for filing claims varies depending on your insurance policy, but most policyholders have a year from the date for you to file a claim with them. Contact Stone Claims Group today if your claim has been denied. We’ll help you reclaim what’s rightfully yours.